What's Included

Comprehensive Advising and Support

A team of helpful ISA staff members guides students through the entire study abroad process. The U.S. staff helps prospective students with program selection and completion of the ISA application. Pre-departure orientations are also available to enrolled students over the telephone and through our comprehensive online orientation. The U.S. staff is in constant contact with our resident staff abroad, who provide support to students during their program. ISA's staff members also provide assistance to students upon their return to the U.S. Contact us at 512-480-8522 or by email.

Visa Support

Our U.S.-based staff is trained to handle visa issues for Belgium and their corresponding U.S.-based consulates.

Tuition at Host University

Tuition and administrative fees at the host university are included in the program price. Some classes have additional fees which are not included in the program price

Official Transcript Issued by Host University with ISA Cover Letter

Upon the successful completion of an ISA program, the student's host university will issue an official transcript that lists all coursework. ISA will send this transcript to the appropriate office at the student's home university. Additionally, ISA will provide a cover letter explaining the host university's grading system and a translation of the transcript, as necessary.

Full -Time Resident Staff

ISA's full-time resident staff assists students with all aspects of their experience abroad. The resident staff provides support during official course registration and arranges the program orientation, excursions, weekly meetings, cultural activities and much more. Staff members are trained to ensure the well-being of each program participant and are dedicated to facilitating a positive and meaningful study abroad experience. ISA provides a 20:1 student to staff ratio on site. Please click here to read more about the Brussels staff.

On-Site ISA Office

The on-site office offers students a source of security while abroad by serving as a common meeting place and resource center. Please click here to read more about the Brussels office.

Bridging Cultures Program

The Bridging Cultures Program (BCP) encompasses the ISA on-site orientation delivered to all students in the first days of their ISA program, with key improvements in areas related to goal setting, intercultural awareness, diversity and professional development. For a number of reasons, the first days that follow a student's arrival on site offer us some of the best opportunities to effectively transmit information to program participants. While the pre-departure orientations that students receive from ISA and their home universities are also important, students are typically more ready to focus on their study abroad experience when they arrive at their host country. The BCP is designed to help ISA make the most of this important opportunity to educate students and to give students the tools that will facilitate discovery and learning during their program. The BCP is an important introduction to a new culture, a new home and a new experience. The BCP is designed to prepare students for a successful, positive and rewarding experience that will influence the rest of their lives.

Computer and Internet Access

ISA students enjoy free computer, internet and wifi access at the ISA Brussels on-site office. Students also have access to computer labs and WiFi at Vesalius College.

Tutoring

Tutorial assistance is offered to participants who are enrolled in a language class during their ISA program; assistance is arranged by the on-site directors and should be scheduled in advance, and consists of a maximum of 1 hour per week.

Airport Reception

Ground transportation is provided from the Brussels National Airport (BRU) for students who arrive during the ISA designated arrival date and time, and at the appropriate airport.

Housing

Homestay: Included in the price of all ISA Brussels programs.

Apartments: Included in the price of all ISA Brussels programs. A $500 refundable security deposit will be charged to students living in ISA arranged housing. ISA may retain some, or all, of this deposit in the case of damage to property, or if utility usage exceeds the allotted monthly amount.

Please Note: Students can request their prefered housing type, however housing assignments are based on availability and no requests can be guaranteed.

Please click here to read more about the housing options in Brussels.

Meals

Homestays: Breakfast is included seven days a week and dinner is included five days a week.
Apartments: No meals included.
**Lunch and dinner are not provided on ISA excursions.

Excursions

Excursions are included in the price of all ISA programs, except Intensive Month programs. Excursions are designed to complement the academic component of the student's study abroad experience. Transportation and guided tours are included. During multi-day excursions, hotel accommodations and breakfast are also included. Additional optional excursions may be offered but are not included in the ISA program price. Students may sign up and pay for these excursions after they arrive at their program site.Click here for a list of excursions.

Cultural Activities in Brussels

In order to maximize cultural immersion, the ISA program staff develops unique cultural activities. These custom-designed activities invite students to experience the local color of their host city, while learning about the history and culture of their new surroundings. Speaking the native language with locals, tasting the regional cuisine, and partaking in the native traditions are just a few of the ways these cultural activities lead to full appreciation of the program city.

Medical Insurance

Comprehensive medical insurance is provided during the official period of the program. Extensions of medical coverage can be made for an additional fee if students plan to be abroad before or after the program period. A full description of coverage can be found here.

24-hour Emergency Assistance

ISA regular office hours are Monday through Thursday, 7:00am - 7:00pm and Friday, 7:00am - 5:00pm Central Time. For students or parents who need assistance in an emergency situation outside of the regular office hours, please call the ISA office at 512-480-8522 to access the ISA emergency contact information for that particular week. Abroad students also have access to on-site staff 24 hours a day.